ISS Tracker: How to See the Space Station Tonight
There is something profoundly humbling about watching a bright star streak across the night sky, knowing there are humans living inside it.
The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth every 90 minutes. It's visible to the naked eye, but only if you know exactly when and where to look.
Why Can We See It?
The ISS doesn't have lights on the outside. We see it because of sunlight reflection. It's visible mostly at dawn or dusk—when the viewer is in darkness, but the station, 400km above, is still bathed in sunlight.
How to Spot It using Astro Track
Astro Track makes spotting the ISS a breeze.
1. Check the Pass Predictions
Open the app and allow location access. It will calculate the next "visible pass."
- Mag (Magnitude): The lower the number, the brighter. The ISS can reach -3.8 (brighter than Venus).
- Elevation: Higher is better. A 10° pass is barely above the horizon; a 90° pass goes right overhead.
2. Set an Alarm
Passes only last 2-6 minutes. Arrive 5 minutes early to let your eyes adjust to the dark.
3. Look to the West
The ISS almost always rises from the West and travels East.
Beyond the ISS
Once you've spotted the station, you'll be hooked. Astro Track also lets you track:
- Starlink Trains: The controversial but visually stunning line of satellites.
- Hubble Telescope: Fainter, but legendary.
- Tiangong: The Chinese Space Station.
Turn your phone into a window to the cosmos.